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Israeli Self Defense

3.7 ★★★★☆ 37 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Houston, Texas

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth muay thai classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
  • Website & schedule israeliselfdefense.net — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 713-252-5836

The classes they run

Muay thai classes on the schedule at Israeli Self Defense, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai 4 mentions

“Long Answer: Israeli Self-Defense is a Christian-oriented, family-centric, and beginner friendly school that sincerely wants students to learn, grow and succeed.”

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🧒 Kids Muay Thai 7 mentions

“Israeli Self Defense is great for both adults and children wanting to learn self defense.”

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👤 Private Lessons 2 mentions

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🥊 Sparring 3 mentions

“He did a great job of monitoring sparring sessions to ensure the safety of everyone.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 19 mentions

“Long Answer: Israeli Self-Defense is a Christian-oriented, family-centric, and beginner friendly school that sincerely wants students to learn, grow and succeed.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Israeli Self Defense — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing

“For more traditional martial arts, the school offers boxing, kickboxing, and jujitsu.”

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🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

“Classes offered in Krav Haganah, Maui Thai, Combat Fitness, Aikido, Brazilin Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Stick-fighting, and Firearms are diverse and compliment one another.”

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🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

“Classes offered in Krav Haganah, Maui Thai, Combat Fitness, Aikido, Brazilin Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Stick-fighting, and Firearms are diverse and compliment one another.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu (bjj) →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, boxing, or MMA alongside muay thai, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 37 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 6 mentions

“John is super knowledgeable, a great instructor and an all around amazing person.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“Long Answer: Israeli Self-Defense is a Christian-oriented, family-centric, and beginner friendly school that sincerely wants students to learn, grow and succeed.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 11 mentions

“Long Answer: Israeli Self-Defense is a Christian-oriented, family-centric, and beginner friendly school that sincerely wants students to learn, grow and succeed.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“Students may choose from a variety of fighting styles that incorporate empty hand, stick, knife, and even firearms techniques and tactics.”

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 5 mentions

“Classes offered in Krav Haganah, Maui Thai, Combat Fitness, Aikido, Brazilin Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Stick-fighting, and Firearms are diverse and compliment one another.”

💵 good value / fair pricing 2 mentions

“Alot of Amazing classes, super affordable prizes, patient and knowledgeable teachers best self defense you'll ever go to.”

From the reviews

This program is hands down, the best thing we could’ve chosen for our son to be involved in. He thoroughly enjoys what he’s learning in class; he adores and respects both his coaches, Jacob and Tyrone! He especially enjoys the structure and camaraderie. The coaches are phenomenal and just so great with the kids!

★★★★★ — Audra, Nov 2019

John is one of the best instructors in the area. He is articulate and thoroughly covers the materials and fundamentals of self defense. He covers the importance of distance, timing and situational awareness. He creates an atmosphere that is fun, informative, and most importantly safe.

★★★★★ — Thomas, Dec 2024

Absolutely love this place. John is super knowledgeable, a great instructor and an all around amazing person. Definitely recommend any of the classes here!

★★★★★ — A, Jan 2026

Alot of Amazing classes, super affordable prizes, patient and knowledgeable teachers best self defense you'll ever go to.

★★★★★ — Antonio, Feb 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 37 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Israeli Self Defense

Israeli Self Defense comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

See their beginner class info

Your first muay thai class at Israeli Self Defense

Nervous about walking into a muay thai gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Muay thai is a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Israeli Self Defense

17317 El Camino Real, Houston, TX77058

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.